Ali Regrets Not Causing the Death of Joe Frazier

The Thrilla in Manilla: Ali Vs Frazier, 1975

Boxing legend Muhammed Ali today expressed his sadness at the death from natural causes of his old adversary, former World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Frazier. While many notable personalities from the boxing world spoke of their regret at the passing of a "fighter who defined the sport", Ali was much more specific, stating he had always hoped to kill Frazier in the ring some day.

"I know it sounds like a crazy dream for such an old man," said Ali, "but I was really hoping to bust Joe's head. I mean literally bust it open." Ali has a long-standing reputation as an outspoken and sometimes controversial self-promoter but he cemented his reputation as a relentless fighter by beating several of his opponents to death.

The Kentucky native first shook the boxing world when he fatally fractured the skull of then title-holder Sonny Liston during the 6th round of their 1964 bout. Liston was pronounced dead in the ring as the 22 year-old Ali, held back by supporters, shouted at him to get up in what boxing writer Bert Sugar later described as an iconic moment for the sport.

Ali's 1974 clash with George Foreman - widely referred to as The Rumble In The Jungle - also ended in tragedy when Ali pounded Foreman for several minutes after the defending champion fell to the ground, just days after patenting his design for an inclined electric grill which still bears his name.

Ali and Frazier last met during their much-hyped bout in 1975, dubbed the 'Thrilla in Manilla', after which a victorious Ali expressed regret when his opponent emerged from his coma. When asked about his long-standing feud with Frazier, Ali commented that the years of resentment between the pair could have been avoided if he had only been given a proper chance to end Frazier's life violently in front of a cheering crowd.